Novel lithium ion batteries

A lithium ion battery comprising:

• a plurality of lithium ion cells aligned parallel to each other, each lithium ion cell containing a cathode in electronic contact with a positive current collector, an anode in electronic contact with a negative current collector, a separating unit that separates the cathode from the anode, and an electrolyte in contact with the cathode, the anode, and the separating unit;
• a single positive terminal in electrical contact with one or more of the positive current collectors but not any of the negative current collectors;
• a single negative terminal in electrical contact with one or more of the negative current collectors but not any of the positive current collectors;
• one or more cross-over connectors that each electrically connect with one or more of the positive current collectors and one or more of the negative current collectors;
• a case that houses the lithium ion cells, the positive terminal, the negative terminal, and the cross-over connectors;
• and
• a cover that encloses the case,
• wherein each cathode contains a lithium cathode material, each anode contains an anode material;
• each separating unit contains a micro-porous material;
• the electrolyte is a liquid, a gel, or a polymeric solid;
• each of the positive terminal, the negative terminal, the positive current collectors, and the negative current collectors contains a metal tab;
• each of the cross-over connectors contains a metal bar;
• the cover has a first opening and a second opening;
• the positive terminal extends through the first opening;
• and the negative terminal extends through the second opening;
• and the case includes a divider that divides the case into at least two compartments, each compartment housing one or more of the lithium ion cells.